That is the premise (and generational-divide explanation) noted and discussed by Nicole Black at Sui Generishere, based in part on an article from California Lawyer. Whether the premises are true (and true nationally)--that women are way-disproportionately leaving biglaw practice, and this is especially true with Gen X and Gen Y subjects--is something on which Bill Henderson at ELS blog is more equipped to comment, with all his law-firm data and empirical-crunching talents. But it does seem true to almost any casual observer like me with interest in the demographics of the legal profession that the generational divide Nicole spots is really there, and that women have higher turnover rates at biglaw. Now I just wonder if it is empirically true.